MIDDLE & LOWER KEYS: DON’T ATTEMPT RE-ENTRY

Keys officials are adamant that residents from the Middle and Lower Keys not attempt re-entry. Although Upper Keys residents and business owners with the yellow sticker are theoretically allowed back into the islands, the reality is likely more complicated. Waiting alongside those Upper Keys residents are a bottleneck of supplies and essential personnel — fuel, generator parts, law enforcement units, etc. Those supplies and essential personnel must be given priority to fix the rest of the islands, according to the Monroe County Emergency Management.

Also, water and power have only been restored to parts of the Upper Keys. There are some streets that have neither.

Finally, there will be law enforcement at the Midway Café at MM 80. They will prevent unauthorized travelers from heading further south. The highway wash outs at Seaoats Beach (MM 74) and Bahia Honda (MM 37) are still under repair.

Other news:

• Monroe County Emergency Management said the Department of Homeland Security rumor of evacuating those reported 10,000 citizens currently in the Keys is false. However, the EOC said it will not prevent citizens from leaving the Keys if they realize their situation is untenable and need to reach the mainland.

• The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority will have water available for Key West from 10 a.m. to noon today.

• Distribution sites for disaster relief will be established today.

• The Marathon airport is accommodating emergency flights. The Key West airport and Boca Chica Naval Air Station should receive flights later today.